The hatred in Elle’s eyes faded, and was replaced by worry and concern.
“Dad? What about him…?”
Elle’s mother sighed, and put her hand on Elle’s knee.

Now she was worried. God, I hope nothing horrible happened…

“What…?” Elle asked, her voice barely audible.
“Your father had a heart attack… He’s on his way to the hospital as we speak…”

Elle’s eyes grew wide, the color fading slightly. It took her several minutes to realize that she wasn’t breathing, then gasped as she fell into her mother’s arms.

“How..?” she managed through her sobbing.

“We’re not sure, honey… we’ll have to go to the hospital and see what the doctors have to say…”

Elle just ground her teeth together, fighting back the cry of despair that she so longed to expell from her lungs.
After holding Elle for several minutes, she patted her back and spoke.
“We have to be on our way to the hospital to meet with the doctors when your father arrives.”
Elle nodded and got ready to leave.